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A truly shameful capitulation last night. The overall lack of pride, endeavour or passion we've seen from the majority of the players and our clueless management team over the four play-off games has been difficult to comprehend. Hopefully the board got the message loud and clear at the final whistle. A board member confirmed to me last night that Ferguson is on a 6 month rolling contract, rather than the 3 year deal he keeps referring to in interviews. Based on recent rumours it would sound like it would cost between 130-150k to pay him off. If the guy had any class at all he'd walk today but you can guarantee he'll hang on in there and pocket the pay-off he ill deserves and clearly doesn't need. His post-match comments were beyond belief. Personally, if Ferguson and/or Gardiner stay I won't be renewing my season tickets. I doubt I'll be alone in adopting this stance. Grim times indeed.

Just following Big Dunc's instructions

Note to self....just ignore

At least some people on the pitch showed a bit of fight.

Playing squad: 2023/24. Players added to this season: 49 As far as we know on CTO, this is where we are. If anyone knows otherwise, please let us know. Still Contracted Nikola UJDUR - Contracted to end of 2025 (out of favour or what?) Adam BROOKS - Contracted to end 2025 Billy MCKAY - Contracted to end 2025 (possibly 2024 with options) Luis LONGSTAFF - Contracted to end of 2025 Charlie GILMOUR Contracted to end of 2025 Lewis NICOLSON - Contracted to end of 2025 (Injured) Jake DAVIDSON - On Loan to Hamilton, Contracted to end of 2025 Various Youth Players Loaned Out or used during this season Most likely all contracted until end of this season. (unsure of some who only filled in when we were short) Jonathan BAIN - Contract not known Shae KEOGH - Contract not known Calum MACKAY - Loan out to Nairn County Contract expired Now Lewis MACKIE - Contract not known Calum MACLEOD - Contract expiry believed to be end of 2025 Ben MEACHER - Contract not known Alistair NIXON - Contract not known Sam NIXON - Loaned out to Nairn, Contract expiry believed to be end 2025 Sam THOMPSON - Contract not known Jack WALKER - Loaned out to Nairn, Contract end is believed to be end 2025 Loans Expired or Contract Expired Max ANDERSON - Loan end of season Morgan BOYES - Loan end of season James CARRAGHER - Loan end of season Aribim PEPPLE - Loan end of season Alex SAMUEL - Loan end of season Sean MCALLISTER - Loan end of season Cameron KERR - Loan end of season Samson LAWAL - Loan end of season Jeremiah CHILOKOA-MULLEN - Loan & Injured Remi SAVAGE - Out of Contract (6month) Austin SAMUELS - Contract ended? (not known) Nathan SHAW - Injured Contract expired Now Mark RIDGERS - Contract expired Now Wallace DUFFY - Contract expired Now Daniel DEVINE - Contract expired Now, possible contract extension triggered? Roddy MACGREGOR - Contract expired Now Harry LODOVICA - Injured Contract up for discussion? Aaron DORAN - Injured Contract expired Now Cameron HARPER - Contract expired Now ? Cammy MACKAY Contract expired Now? Lewis HYDE - Loaned out to Brora, Contract expired Now Keith BRAY - Loaned out to Elgin City, Contract expired Now Ethan CAIRNS - Loaned out to Banks O' Dee, Contract expired Now Matthew STRACHAN - Loaned out to Nairn County, Contract expired Now Robbie THOMPSON - Loaned out to Spartans, Contract expired Now Players Already Gone Harry Hennem Left in January Max RAM Gone David CARSON Gone to Livingston Zak DELANEY Gone to Arbroath Cillian SHERIDAN Gone to Queens Park Sean WELSH Gone to Queens Park David WOTHERSPOON Gone free agent after Dundee United

Someone needs to brush up on the definition of 'franchise' and then come back with a better story.

Well reality is setting in now I'm afraid Div 1 if the club actually survives.These last few games have been dire.Hamilton looked dangerous everytime they came near our goal.On the other hand we rarely looked dangerous and we could be playing now and still not have scored any more.To many negatives about tonight's performance to list.The best team won and we got what we deserved for a horrendous season.We just never looked like a team with a plan.In fact we never looked like a team.So sorry for all staff impacted.At least we only saw our team demoted.Many will have lost more, most likely their jobs.What an absolute mess.What a shambles the board have overseen.

The worst day in the club's history by some margin.

Ross Tokely has committed to managing Nairn County next season. Shame as I think he could do a better job than what we have just now.

He is certainly not a leader . He employed his mate Gardiner as a way of trying to make a quick buck between themselves . The only times you get Ross Morrison opening his mouth is when he is looking for fans to get behind him Gardiner and Cameron to try go against Highland Council and approve his battery project so that between them they all can make money and use caley to try gain that support . Good riddance to them all majority of Inverness are well fed up of them all. Not one of them have any interest bar SELF interest .

You really are the definition of a fictional troll that sits on the edge of a murky lake with a scowl on their face, holding a wee fishing rod, hoping for bites.

It’s all been in turmoil since the battery farm proposal. I really hope this doesn’t get approval as I don’t see this benefiting the club in the long run. It all seems a get rich quick scheme for the main sponsors and Gardiner. There might be a initial cash injection to keep the club debt clear for another season but that’s it. gardiner to go and take his chickens with him

You are not alone on speaking to lots yesterday. I'm not contributing to SG wages anymore

I don't think I was ever confident that we could get past Hamilton. An early goal for us would have, possibly, set the scene but when we gave the ball away after 12 seconds....from our k.o....what little confidence I had drained away. An awful day in ICT history. As someone quoted somewhere..from Europe to Annan in 9 years. We never built on that success and the blame for that has to lie at the top. League 1 football next season it is then and all on plastic pitches I believe. A clear out is needed but the biggest fear in my heart is...will we survive as a club?

No interview with Ferguson tonight then? Hopefully he's already gone!

There was mention of contacting lapsed ST holders next season of which I am one. I will consider purchasing one again next season but only if there is significant change at the top of the club and I will be telling them that if I am contacted. Lets just hope the outcome today will be a watershed moment for OUR club.

Much as I hate to see people losing their jobs, I think we've given Big Dunc long enough to prove himself. A manager he is not, and he's not going to get any better. So, just to hurry things along, who would you like to see in the ICT hot-seat? With our history of unearthing untried managers in the past (some good, some not so good!) I would love to see the club taking a punt on ROSS TOKELY to oversee next season's rebuild. He has limited but successful management experience at a lower level but what impresses me most about him is his knowledge of the game when he's part of the commentary team. Last night for instance he was quite critical of our tactics and clearly knew how we should have played. Most of all, he is passionate about our club and I think that is something that's been lacking for the past couple of seasons. Any other suggestions?

It strikes me that there must still be this small, sad group of individuals who have been sitting around for the last 30 years, desperately waiting for a misfortune so they can attempt to say “told you so”. Meanwhile everyone else has been enjoying progress to the SPL in just a decade, further progress to the Top Six, winning the Third and First Divisions, winning the Challenge Cup, and (in anticipation of some smart-ass comment about that), I’ll add winning the Scottish Cup, reaching the League Cup final, bringing European football to the Highlands, beating the Old Firm home and away including Celtic three times in the Scottish Cup, raising attendances to a peak of 7 and still 3 times what Thistle and Caley combined were taking in pre-merger…. and even after this weekend’s misfortune, Inverness football is still two leagues above what it was before this club came around. One difficulty is that there’s also this small caucus of ex-Caley fans who seem to live in some fantasy world, hallucinating that 6000 people packed themselves into Telford Street every second Saturday right up to the bitter end in the Highland League and 5000 of them still resolutely refuse to go near the Caledonian Stadium. Meanwhile the reality is that the biggest number of Caley fans that ever voted against the merger was 226, many of whom still became regular ICT attendees, and that the biggest number that ever attended a Thistle meeting was (off the top of my head) 45.

Unfortunately most of Inverness doesn't have a clue who these characters are, or could care less about them. That is a large part of our problem in general - we are hardly known in the 'city', and our internal goings on are pure mystery to the general public.

More importantly than anything to me if you have had the job previously you cannot have it again (before Hughes nominates himself). Not against Tokely, but what managerial experience does he have? Draper hasn't exactly set the heather alight at Elgin.

Pretty sure that's a prerequisite trait for almost all managers though especially in football. Ever seen one to admit they were wrong or change tactics? Unfortunately I think there is a reliance that Dunc had the contact to bring in players from elsewhere with Bollan knowing the scottish game especially lower leagues -Unfortunately dunc underestimated the level and type of players and qualities needed and bollan is proven useless at management and coaching below this level.

Maybe they are too scared in case he sticks the nut on them? Dougal

Excluding this old duffer!

The old duffers in our support are desperate for lifelong younger fans to support the Old Firm because it helps them feel better about their own Glasgow leaning cowardice

It seems to be generally accepted that fans can come on to pitches at the end of a season to celebrate an achievement, without repercussions. We’ve done it home and away (Ayr) and at least one team had previously celebrated on our pitch (Dundee Utd). I don’t recall any trouble at those, and I don’t begrudge giving Hamilton fans the opportunity to celebrate their promotion. You can blame the club or stewards, but surely it also comes down to individuals taking responsibility for their own conduct.

I don't actually blame Dunc really. Clearly wasn't up to the job or what we needed. Should never have been appointed. His failing is stubbornness though.

I have just been told about the rolling contract and I am also told that there is some form of contracted early pay-off clause. In different circumstances I could stomach that BUT. I hope that Dunc does the right thing. His interview prior to the Hammy game was shocking. I can accept injuries, taking over at a very low point, loss of key players and loanees. I can also accept the style of play but there was a lack of a Plan B. As Yngwie alluded to earlier the adaption of the playing style and the chopping and changing may not have helped. I really hope that is not one of the excuses provided if and when any statement comes around. But lets face it we were beaten by a far better team - we were beaten by a team that played as a team and evidently gave 110% for the shirt. We certainly had those clearly giving it all and, looking at the player poll for the game, it appears that we all know who they are.

With apologies to the Proclaimers !! When you go will you send back Some money from the Battery Take a hike down the A9 And shaft somebody else I looked at the league table Tried hard to imagine The way we felt the day you failed Across the Highlands and afar We should'nt have trusted you We should have told you But you knew our loyal, sense of timing Alas we waited too long GARDINER NO MORE MORRISON NO MORE FERGUSON NO MORE ICT TILL WE DIE

You’re missing the point completely regarding the problem of fan behaviour and the pitch invasion at the end of the game. The security of the players and those attending the match is the responsibility of the club (ICTFC) - It start and stops there. With respect, anyone with half a mind on past high pressure, edgy and potentially volatile play-off football matches would fully know there was the chance a negative result could spark trouble. Throw in a toxic CEO and Chairman, it’s fairly clear the warning signs were there. Now, in my option, the aforementioned CEO and those in the Board and club responsible for this security were fully aware of the risks. - The fact no police were in attendance during the match was a calculated decision by these people. It costs money and for those ‘like minded people’, the SMART decision was to leave the fans to themselves. Any cost of any potential trouble could be sorted out and picked up by calling the bobbies and the public purse. SMART!! I can’t and will not blame the match stewards (below minimal wage on zero hour contracts, shipped in on a mini bus from god knows where). We had in the north stand the young team led by drunk fat 16 year adolescents or drunk fat 20+losers (take your pick). As soon as the first Hamilton goal went it the inevitable unrest fermented. Led by these sad clowns dads with kids were targets for abuse and intimidation. Items were thrown on the pitch (ref picked up one). At the end of the match the Hamilton fans ran on (wrongly) to celebrate a wonderful (unexpected I would say) result with their players. Who was responsible for this - ICT football club. The then response by ‘our’ young patrons was to respond and led by the aforementioned halfwits was the flood onto the park. All so predictable and all so sad. The responsibility to protect the players and ground staff lies solely with the Club and here they were again found negligent (by design or incompetence) and I fully expect them to by fined by the footballing authorities for this gross dis-ownership of responsibility to secure the ground for the match. Maybe it’s a parting ‘gift’ from some on the board for the club. If you have a complaint regards the security at the match I think it came down to cold calculated costs and opinion / attitude of those in control of the club.

Gotta find content for their social media accounts

The warning signs were clearly evident at the Montrose games I’m afraid it wasn’t a surprise to me or the fans around me the way we capitulated. A team full of jobbers who will now all toddle off into the horizon along with the so called manager and the so called guardians hopefully. Shame on them all They shall not be missed Dougal

I seem to always be the bridesmaid? Congratulations Gringo and a big thanks for all the work you put into this. I am top of the Macdonald family mini league lol

Well, we are relegated now. Presumably the Board have had some kind of plan in place for whichever outcome arose today, so we can reasonably expect some significant announcement in the next day or two. The aim must be to bounce straight back next season. But we will need to have a squad capable of winning league 1. We don't have many players on contract for next season and will be an even less attractive prospect for potential players from down South. Going part time would probably destroy any prospect for an immediate return so the club needs to focus funding on the player budget. It also needs to invest in the fan base and generate income by making the matchday experience more attractive. Today demonstrated that there is potential for a larger and more vocal support than we usually get, but to come more often, people need to feel welcome. There will therefore need to be some serious cost cutting in other areas of the club's operation. No prizes for guessing the first thing that needs to happen!

Cheers for another season of NPL, Gring' It seems ironic that next year, this will be played in the spirit of the 3rd Tier - the same league where this game started on those train rides to Dumfries, Alloa, Livingston and Clyde.

Difficult to know what to predict. For various reasons it will be a very different XI that turns out next season at Cove or Annan or whatever. I wonder who'll be in the dugout, who'll be in the boardroom? This is a very bad day. That's all.

Like many here I’m sure. We were at the Caley club the night they had their first chat to the fans about their ideas for the club moving forward. Not one thing they said has come to fruition and without doubt I would agree there time is up. Morrison seems to be a decent guy but he has to be culpable for hiring Gardiner. They seem to have alienated the business community in Inverness and taken us backwards for sure. There was talk about job losses if we go down. The first wage saved should be gardiners and not job losses for the hard working people lower down. I’m ripping just now and scared to say what I really feel. A few drinks from now and it might be different

The Samuels sub and his mood at coming on summed up the farcical Ferguson reign. A manager woefully out of his depth having to turn to a player he's completely marginalised over the last few months in a desperate attempt to save his skin with said player completely demotivated. Another masterclass from Big Dunc.

If we were relegated I’d happily see a team from the youth setup in the first team. Journeymen and loanees in League 1 wouldn’t interest me much, especially if we had a mediocre league finish.

I was thinking the opposite. Caledonian Thistle for me.

[Checks thread....moves on to the next...]

Yes, mental barrier!! Deficiency of gray matter or moral guidance for mostly young gullible schoolboys. The others are a lost cause!

Hopefully those clutching their pearls about a few youngsters running on the pitch come to realise that not everyone desires to share their own miserable, passionless philosophies

Not a comment specific to Carragher as such but while some or all players don't want to drop to league 1, I'm not convinced many have shown they are above or even equal to that level. Perhaps a few need to have long look at their expectations vs ability over the summer.

Well done Gringo and thanks again for running this competition, giving us some light hearted good fun.

Poor Billy Mackay... 5 relegations on his CV. If only he'd scored a penalty !

If they had even a smidgen of integrity they would walk.

That was just terrible and the worst thing about it is that I'm not even angry right now. I just feel complete apathy as we've been heading this way all season. One of the biggest games in the clubs history and that's what we produce. Gutless, spineless, hopeless. It was galling to see so little heart on display but we shouldn't be surprised with so many loan players. They don't have to deal with the consequences of this. If it wasn't obvious before then it's crystal clear now that Duncan Ferguson is no manager. He needs cleared down the A9 tonight. From bizarre selections, ostracised players and bringing them in from the cold (Samuels anyone) and the spectacle of completely blanking players in public its clear that management is not for him. I have no idea what's going to happen now but the CEO can join him ona one way ticket South.

Surprised but pleased at team selection BUT it all depends on how and where Billy is used. Pepple needs the close partner with him.

We've had bigger games but this is probably the most important game in the club's history. Not that you would know that by looking at the club's website. The club seem to be treating this like an ordinary match. As ST holders we have simply had an email telling us that as loyal supporters we have to pay full price for our ticket. Nothing to encourage us to come or encourage us to bring along someone else. For this vitally important final game of the season there is no pre match entertainment, no enhanced hospitality; nothing to encourage anybody to come along and cheer the team on rather than watch it on telly. It is pretty quiet on here too as though the club's apathy is infectious. It is as though the club has had its life and soul sucked out. I just hope the club's temporary employees on the pitch can demonstrate a bit more enthusiasm than their employers. They will need all the support they can get from those of us who will be dipping into our pockets to watch in person.